The Enhancing Food Security, Livelihoods and Resilience Building Project to be launched in Karamoja region

Jun 24, 2014

KARAMOJA – The Government of Uganda today will launch a project enhancing food security and the livelihoods of those in the Karamoja region.

The project aptly named, ‘Enhancing Food Security, Livelihoods and Resilience Building in Karamoja,’ is part of efforts by the Government and development partners to build resilience in the region, having been plagued by drought and inconsistent rain patterns over the years.

According to the National Integrated Food Security Phase (IPC) Classification report, the Region in November 2013 and April 2014 was confronted with incidences of inadequate food supply and the inability to afford essential expenditures on food items due to declining food stocks, reduced livestock products and increased food prices. This has led to malnutrition and a higher prevalence of disease in the region.

Additionally, the region is challenged with insufficient water supply and an elevated poverty rate. This coupled with poor infrastructure and severe environmental degradation has had a long lasting impact on the livelihoods of the people.

This project therefore seeks to break the cycle of food insecurity by focusing on increasing water availability through the rehabilitation of water facilities, restoring livelihoods by mobilizing the community through cash-for-work and direct cash transfers, and conduct of mass animal vaccinations.

The project is expected to benefit 6,300 persons in the districts of Nakapiripirit and Amudat who have been directly affected by drought. In addition, about 100,000 persons from 10 parishes in the two districts will benefit from the community resilience-building activities, climate adaptation projects, and new water facilities. Approximately 30 percent of the intended beneficiaries are women and it is hoped that with improved water facilities they will not have to walk long distances in order to fetch water hence giving them time to attend to other activities.

The one year project is funded by the Government of Japan and will be implemented through UNDP in partnership with key actors from the Government in particular the Office of the First Lady/Minister for Karamoja Affairs, Department of Disaster Preparedness and Management, Department of Pacification and Development and District Local Governments.